Financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh for OBC/OEC entrepreneurs

Kochi, Feb 6 The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), in association with the State Backward Classes Development Department (BCDD), has invited applications for financial assistance aimed at supporting startups promoted by entrepreneurs from OBC and OEC communities.
Under the BCDD financial assistance scheme, selected startups will be eligible for funding of up to Rs 10 lakh to support product development and market entry.
The initiative seeks to foster an inclusive startup ecosystem by enabling entrepreneurs from backward communities to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable products and scale up their ventures.
The scheme is designed to provide early-stage startups with critical support for idea validation, productisation and initial market access.
Applicants must belong to the OBC or OEC categories, be graduates aged between 23 and 40 years, and hold at least 80 per cent equity ownership in the applying startup.
The annual family income of the applicant should not exceed Rs 5 lakh.
Startups seeking productisation grants must be registered with the Kerala Startup Mission and should possess a valid KSUM Unique ID.
Eligible entrepreneurs can apply online through the portal: https://grants.startupmission.in/bcdd.